Chapter 189: Please, Lord Hokage, Strictly Punish Transfer Consultant Xiaochun!

"This is absurd, absolutely absurd, Hokage, the Transfer Consultant is being too excessive; our Barrier Division still has to repair and maintain the entire Konoha Barrier, and this little amount of funds is nowhere near enough!"

"She gave all the money to the Medical Department; does Konoha only have the Medical Department needing money? The death benefits for fallen ninjas, the rewards for war missions, the repair of damaged Konoha buildings, and even the carvings on the Hokage Rock—does any of those not require funds?"

"The Police Department's cells and barriers also need repair, and the salaries of the Police Department members from last year—we haven't even paid them in full yet!"

"Hokage, the Education Department's budget cannot be cut; these children are the future of Konoha!"

Inside the Hokage Building, the various unit leaders dissatisfied with the allocation gathered in the office, speaking out their grievances in a clamor.

Uchiha Inabi, now the Police Department Chief, also mingled among them, his expression stern as he voiced his own discontent.

"This Ninja Hospital concerns the safety of ninjas returning from the front lines; the Transfer Consultant has been involved in Konoha governance for years, so perhaps this action also reflects her own considerations, right?"

Shisui furrowed his brows, his tone hesitant, his expression very uneasy and conflicted.

"Hokage!"

The battalion commander of the Barrier Unit turned pale, his face tearful and urgent, saying, "Even though the Ninja Hospital is important, we can't give them all the money, can we? And does the Medical Department really need that much money? Could there be a problem here? After all, the Transfer Consultant is so old—should we reconsider?"

He hinted wildly, as if eager to say outright that the Transfer Consultant has ulterior motives.

Shisui understood, yet seemed not to, and did not press further; instead he sighed, "The Transfer Consultant has assisted the Third Hokage for so many years, she should understand Konoha's matters better than I do, and regarding the Third Hokage…"

Speaking that, Shisui sighed again.

The others were suddenly enlightened; they opened their mouths, at a loss for how to retort.

The Third Hokage is only ill, not dead, and I've heard his condition is improving; perhaps he'll recover someday.

As a former Hokage, his prestige remains, his influence is great; even though he no longer holds power, matters concerning the Third Hokage still trouble them.

Shisui kept all this in mind, then furrowed his brows and repeatedly tapped the table with his forefinger, as if pondering something.

The few fell silent; after a moment, Shisui stood and said, "Alright, I'll discuss this again with the Transfer Consultant, reconsider the funding, and ask you all to wait patiently for two more days."

Since the Hokage said so, the others had no choice but to leave.

That day, Transfer Consultant Xiaochun was summoned to the Hokage's office, and rumors began to spread thereafter.

"Word has it that the Hokage praised the Transfer Consultant's work as excellent?"

"Rumor has it that the Hokage, to accommodate Konoha's humble requests, asked Transfer Consultant Xiaochun to allocate the Medical Department's funds to other units."

"Rumor has it that the Hokage, so that that old thing could think of Konoha's interests, even stepped down from his seat!"

"Rumor has it that the Transfer Consultant secretly misappropriated Konoha's funds, leaving other units short of money, and even embezzled the death benefits for fallen ninjas!"

"Damn old thing, why hasn't it died yet?"

"Rumor has it that the Fifth Hokage kept her on as consultant out of respect for the Third Hokage, and the Fifth Hokage was too kind, actually letting such a person remain in the consultant role."

"The Third Hokage, really, why make things difficult for the Fifth Hokage because of such a person? Truly a disappointment for the Fifth Hokage."

In just a few days, rumors spread throughout Konoha, various versions emerging; from the Third Hokage down to newly arrived traveling merchants, everyone knew the Fifth Hokage was bearing the Third's feelings, enduring the havoc wrought by the greedy Transfer Consultant Xiaochun on Konoha.

"Shisui."

In the Sarutobi Clan lands, the Third Hokage learned from Sarutobi Hibiki about Konoha's recent situation and the rumors; at this moment his expression was very complex, he murmured Shisui's name softly, then let out a sigh.

"Third Hokage, these rumors must have been released by the Fifth Hokage; they're clearly slandering us. Should we strike back?"

Although the Third Hokage no longer holds power, the Sarutobi Clan still exists, and they still possess sufficient foundation and capability.

He shook his head and said slowly, "He doesn't intend to do anything to us; he's preparing to deal with Xiaochun."

"Ah?"

Sarutobi Hibiki was startled, "What's the difference? We've always had good relations with the Transfer Clan, and the Transfer Consultant is also your assistant; dealing with the Transfer Consultant is essentially you wanting to act against us, right?"

"Don't worry, I trust him; he won't do anything to me. His vision is far deeper than you think, but unfortunately the path is too distant—I don't think he'll succeed."

Having served as Hokage for so many years, he's naturally aware of the village's corrupt practices; unfortunately, the resistance to reform is too great, and by the time he realizes it, he no longer has the resolve to change things.

"As for the Transfer Consultant, should we do something?"

"Just give her a final reminder; let her be. Yan has probably warned her many times, yet she still got to this point—perhaps she's finally reached the appropriate realization."

The Third Hokage sighed, feeling reluctant yet helpless; he was already old—one could say half a foot already in the coffin—and preserving the clan was now his final task.

"Yes, I understand."

Sarutobi Hibiki nodded in agreement, then turned to leave.

"Wait, what is Asuma doing?"

Realizing he could no longer be Asuma's pillar of support, the Third Hokage began consciously teaching Asuma matters beyond ninjutsu.

"The young master and Miss Hong are still training within the clan."

The Third Hokage paused briefly, then said, "Prepare him; after the New Year, send him to the great lord's side."

"Will the young master agree?"

"He should also have grown up."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Transfer Consultant Xiaochun also learned of the village rumors; having witnessed rumors driving Bai Ya to death, no ninja in Konoha is unafraid of gossip, not even Xiaochun.

"Damn, who is spouting nonsense!"

Xiaochun's eyes flashed with panic; even rumors that Shisui had stepped down for her were circulating—wasn't that clearly targeting her? Moreover, Shisui that day had plainly praised her recent work, and the budget adjustment was only a brief mention—how could it be so exaggerated?

"Hmph, with Rizhan around, Shisui would at most let me retire quietly; it seems I must quickly secure some benefits and leave."

The rumors have spread to this point; it's clearly beyond repair. She feels her consultant position is unlikely to be saved, perhaps she should consider leaving voluntarily, preserving some dignity.

But how can she be blamed? Shisui truly didn't guard against her at all; with so much funding passing through her hands, today not taking, tomorrow not taking, the day after also taking a bit! Today not being biased, tomorrow not being biased, the day after also being biased.

She only takes a little each time, not much; it's what Konoha owes her, what she deserves.

"However, we still need to see Shisui's attitude first."

The next day, she voluntarily went to the Hokage Building to meet Shisui.

"Recently, village rumors have been rising; I feel deeply disturbed, and, acknowledging my advanced age, I wish to resign from the consultant post, retire to my clan lands, and request the Fifth Hokage's approval."

Shisui's expression turned frantic; he quickly rose to persuade, saying, "Transfer Consultant, do not worry, I have never doubted you; the conversation we had that day, you and I both know, is just rumors, it will never affect my trust in you. Moreover, you have assisted the Third Hokage for many years; your ability is convincing, so rest assured."

"If the Fifth Hokage says so, I can rest easy," he said. An unexpected joy!

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun didn't expect Shisui's attitude to be unusually favorable; she could postpone retirement and retire after she settles this funding.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, rarely, showed a slight smile and had a very pleasant discussion with Shisui.

That afternoon, Shisui even summoned ninjas from all divisions and, with a heavy expression, announced the council's decision.

"As for finances, I have long promised to entrust them to the Zhuan Qin consultant; she has handled Konoha's affairs for years, which is reasonable. Unless there are other reasons, the allocation of funds should still be decided by her."

Other reasons?

Everyone's gaze changed; after a brief glance at Uchiha Inabi, they gradually departed.

A few days later, public opinion seemed suppressed, fewer people discussed it, and Zhuan Qin Xiaochun finally relaxed and continued her own operations.

"Xiaochun, don't keep making mistake after mistake; the Fifth Hokage would never be so kind to protect you. If you stop now, you can still get away unscathed!"

Mizuto Monen watched his former teammate's gradual downfall and, unable to bear it, kept urging him to stop.

The Police Department could dig up even his minor affairs; Zhuan Qin Xiaochun has handled the Medical Department and now the Finance Department for so long and done so much, how could they not find anything?

Delaying treatment inevitably means something is being suppressed.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, having just quelled her unease, grew increasingly impatient listening to the traitor's urging and paid him no heed.

Thus, time swiftly moved to June, graduation season arrived, and the villagers' attention shifted to the Ninja Academy.

The assessment of Ninja Academy students is of utmost importance, especially in the year just after the war, as these students represent Konoha's next generation.

The graduation examinations proceeded in full swing, but an infuriating incident occurred in the testing hall.

"What's going on? Why did the shuriken break?"

In the ninja tool throwing test, a student apparently used excessive force, causing a shuriken to shatter upon hitting the target.

The proctoring ninja also found it odd; such a thing had never happened before, but he didn't mind and simply instructed the examinee to replace the tool.

Yet this batch of shuriken seemed all defective: out of ten, three shattered on impact, three were unsharpened and unrefined, and four varied in thickness, making direction hard to control.

The examinee was at a loss, staring blankly at the disgraceful results.

The students murmured, the teachers' faces turned pale, and some, furious, shouted, "What's happening? Why are all the tools defective? Who is responsible for preparing them?"

"This"

The teachers looked at each other, and someone said, "The tools were sent by the Education Department; we don't know who is in charge."

"."

Everyone realized and was instantly dumbfounded.

"What do we do now?"

"First, inspect the tools and set aside the unusable ones."

The teachers hurriedly inspected the tools, while the proctoring ninja and the ANBU members immediately returned to report.

The matter spread quickly, and the Ninja Academy teachers were surprised to find that fewer than ten percent of a crate of kunai and shuriken met standards, making the throwing test impossible to continue.

Just as they were in a dilemma, the ANBU arrived bearing Shisui's order.

"Lord Hokage has issued a decree: skip the throwing test and proceed with other items; detailed arrangements will be announced later."

"Understood."

With the Hokage's order, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The quality issue of ninja tools is a minor matter, yet they felt unusually uneasy for some reason.

Such an important incident involving students is naturally hard to keep secret.

After the students left school, the incident from the exam fully erupted throughout Konoha.

Parents crowded at the Ninja Academy entrance, arguing incessantly.

Shisui, rarely angry inside the Hokage Building, summoned ninjas from all divisions and, in front of everyone, declared, "Order the Police Department to seize everyone involved in this exam immediately; bring all personnel back to the Police Department for interrogation, one by one. I want to see who is bold enough to disrupt the Ninja Academy graduation exam!"

The crowd exchanged glances, having never seen the Hokage so angry, and dared not speak, though their eyes subtly shifted toward the Education Department's Kishi Bunshiyu.

Kishi Bunshiyu seemed oblivious, his face weary, as if daydreaming.

The incident kept escalating, and dozens of Police Department officers stormed the Education Department and the Ninja Academy, taking all related personnel and teachers away.

The grand display left the watching parents and students in awe, silencing them all.

After three days and nights of relentless interrogation by the Police Department, all evidence and testimonies pointed squarely at the Education Department's Kishi Bunshiyu.

The crowd gathered again at the Hokage Building; Shisui, with a cold face, looked at the half‑kneeling Kishi Bunshiyu and asked in an icy tone, "Why did you, Jonin Kishi, do this?"

Kishi Bunshiyu looked up, his face full of resentment, and said, "Lord Hokage, understand that it's not the Education Department's negligence; it's simply a lack of funds. We were promised twelve million ryō for the Education Department, yet I only received less than four million ryō."

Excluding the proctoring ninja's labor costs and other expenses, the remaining money is far insufficient to purchase new ninja tools; we can only reuse the discarded defective ones.

Please, Lord Hokage, understand!

Kishi Bunshiyu lowered his head, hoarse.

Shisui was startled, then looked at the nearby Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, whose face turned pale, while Mizuto Monen sighed and looked away.

Shisui frowned, his lips trembling, and said, "How could this happen? How could the Zhuan Qin consultant..."

"Lord Hokage, the 26 million ryō previously promised to the Barrier Department also arrived at less than half."

"Lord Hokage, the Interrogation Department—"

"Lord Hokage, the Police Department—"

The crowd seized the moment and all spoke at once, without waiting.

These pieces of evidence not only pertain to this incident but also encompass all financial operations since Zhuan Qin Xiaochun began managing the Finance Department.

"Lord Hokage, Zhuan Qin Xiaochun has betrayed your trust, deceived and plundered the villagers, and her greed has become unabashed. Please, Lord Hokage, severely punish Zhuan Qin Xiaochun for the sake of Konoha."

"Please, Lord Hokage, severely punish Zhuan Qin Xiaochun!"

(End of Chapter)